The BCG Casey test is one of the fastest-evolving assessments in consulting recruitment, and it now has an official description: BCG Mexico's recruiting page presents "the Online Case Experience (OCE), an interactive exercise where you solve a business case guided by Casey, a chatbot," taking approximately 30 minutes and conducted in English. It tests structure, prioritisation, numerical reasoning, and synthesis, all through a text interface with embedded exhibits. This guide separates what BCG publishes from what recent candidates report, then covers example questions, scoring, and how to prepare without wasting time on outdated material.
Casey at a Glance
| Attribute | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Business case guided by Casey, a chatbot | BCG Mexico page |
| Duration | ~30 minutes (Mexico); the US campus page gives ~35 minutes for the online case | Official, per market |
| Questions | Roughly 8-10 prompts, adaptive | Candidate reports |
| Closing video | A one-minute recorded video recommendation | Candidate reports; BCG's 2019 prep document describes documents and questions |
| Modality | Text, numerical inputs, chart and table exhibits | Candidate reports |
| Pass rate | Not published by BCG | n/a |
Which assessment you meet depends on office and programme: some markets pair the online case with the CCA or run a cognitive test instead, and a minority of invitations still name the legacy Pymetrics games. Your invitation email names the exact assessment, so confirm before investing preparation time. For context on how Casey fits into the wider process, see our BCG interview process guide.
How the Casey Test Works
You interact with a chatbot named Casey that plays the role of a project lead. Casey presents a business problem, walks you through exhibits, and asks a mix of structured and open-ended questions. You reply by typing, selecting from multiple-choice options, or entering numerical values. Some prompts require you to build a short framework before moving on.
Insider Tip: Casey rewards concise, well-signposted answers. The chatbot cannot read body language or tone, so clarity in writing matters more than it would in a live interview. Short paragraphs and bulleted logic consistently score higher.
What Casey Really Tests
| Dimension | How It Shows Up |
|---|---|
| Structure | "How would you break down this problem?" |
| Prioritisation | "Which of these three drivers would you investigate first?" |
| Quantitative reasoning | Market sizing, unit economics, and profit calculations |
| Chart and table interpretation | Extracting insight from embedded exhibits |
| Synthesis | Short recommendation at the end of the conversation |
| Written communication | Clear, concise, top-down replies |
Notice that creativity is less heavily tested in Casey than in a live BCG interview. The chatbot format favours structured thinking and prioritisation.
Example Questions
Structure Prompt
"A leading European retailer is considering entering the South American market. In three bullet points, what are the top questions you would investigate first?"
Prioritisation Prompt
"Given these three growth levers (new stores, price increases, online expansion), which would you prioritise and why? Answer in under 80 words."
Numerical Prompt
"Using the exhibit below, calculate the expected annual profit if the client opens 12 new stores at an average revenue of 4.2 million euros and a margin of 11 percent."
Synthesis Prompt
"Based on the full case, write a 60-word recommendation for the CEO. Include your top reason and one major risk."
For broader structure drills that transfer directly to Casey, see our structuring a case in 60 seconds guide.
Scoring
Casey is evaluated against a rubric aligned with the dimensions BCG interviews are known to assess: structure, prioritisation, numerical accuracy, and the quality of your final recommendation. Each answer is assessed against expected elements such as MECE structure, correct numerical reasoning, and clarity. BCG does not publish scores or pass thresholds, and the bar varies by office and cohort; your result is combined with resume screening. Focus on maximising the elements the rubric rewards rather than chasing a number.
How to Prepare in 2 Weeks
| Days | Focus | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Structure and prioritisation | 15 structure drills with 60-second timer |
| 4-5 | Numerical reasoning | 30 profit, margin, and unit-economics problems |
| 6-7 | Chart and table interpretation | 20 exhibit-driven drills |
| 8-10 | Synthesis in writing | 10 recommendations under 80 words each |
| 11-14 | Timed mock Casey sessions | 2 full simulations plus review |
For the final phase, practice a Casey-style chatbot case end to end, including the closing synthesis, so the real assessment feels familiar rather than novel. If you want to see the flow first, our free BCG Casey practice test walks through the chatbot format with worked example answers.
Build the Right Writing Style
Because Casey is text-based, your writing style is as important as your analytical logic. Use short sentences. Lead with the conclusion. Separate structured points with bullets or numbering. Avoid long prose paragraphs. Candidate accounts consistently describe top-down clarity scoring well.
Warning: Do not over-prepare on legacy Casey materials from 2022 or earlier. BCG has significantly changed the chatbot since 2024, and older practice sets misrepresent the current difficulty and question style.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Writing long, unstructured paragraphs instead of short bulleted answers.
- Skipping the synthesis because of time pressure. Every Casey case ends with one.
- Ignoring units in numerical questions. Thousands versus millions catch many candidates.
- Treating Casey like a pure maths test. Structure and prioritisation carry equal weight.
- Preparing for the legacy GMAT-style Potential Test when your invitation names Casey.
FAQ
Is the Casey test used in every BCG office?
Many, but not all, and it depends on the office. The online case is the most widely reported format and is officially described by BCG Mexico; other markets run the cognitive test or the CCA (which BCG's US campus pages list alongside an online case), and a minority of invitations still name the legacy Pymetrics games. Your invitation email names the exact assessment you will take, so always follow it and confirm with your recruiter.
How long is the Casey test?
Approximately 25 to 35 minutes for the chatbot case, plus a one-minute recorded video recommendation at the end. The exact duration varies based on how quickly you respond.
Can I retake Casey if I fail?
BCG's careers FAQ recommends waiting at least 12 months before reapplying after an unsuccessful application. That is a reapplication guideline rather than a retake entitlement, and assessment mechanics vary by office, so check with your recruiter.
Does Casey replace the case interview?
No. Casey is a screening test. Candidates who pass still face two to three rounds of live case and fit interviews.
Sources & Further Reading
- Boston Consulting Group, BCG Publications: official insights on BCG's hiring philosophy and digital tools.
- Consultancy.uk, Consulting industry news: coverage of digital screens and chatbot assessments at MBB.
- Poets&Quants, Consulting recruiting coverage: MBB recruiting trends and pass-rate context.
- Harvard Business Review, Strategy topic archive: broader context on assessment design and selection.
Preparing for Casey? CasingLab offers timed structure drills, numerical sprints, and chart interpretation practice that mirrors the chatbot format. CasingLab is now open. Start the free diagnostic and see your readiness score in five minutes.